Four-month proof of concept in Lyon to compare the use of APU in parking lots with and without PCA in order to measure the impact on emissions and ground operations.

In 2024, the third trial of Waltr's Aircraft Emission Tracker solution took place at Lyon Airport (Vinci Innovation Hub).The objectives:

  • Monitor the use of the APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) and engines in order to compare data from parking lots equipped with PCA (Preconditioned Air Units) with those from parking lots without such equipment.
  • Quantifying pollutant emissions
  • Improve the operational fluidity of handlers.

The pilot program at Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport was rolled out across four parking areas: two equipped with APUs and two without. The Waltr camera simultaneously monitors all four parking areas, tracks aircraft positions, and detects APU and engine use. Emissions associated with usage time are provided. The methodology compares APU usage on arrival and during parking, evaluates the impact of two different PCA suppliers, and sends quantitative reports to the airport (usage time, ignition time, emissions, and regulatory compliance). This project had three success criteria, all of which were easily met: a reduction in APU usage time in parking areas equipped with PCA, a reduction in CO2 and NOx emissions, and improved airport compliance.

20%

only arriving flights comply with APU regulations

-12%

of CO2 per year by reducing APU usage by 3 minutes¹

€1.20 million

fuel savings per year

Benefits for the airport

  • Average reduction of 3 minutes in APU usage, resulting in approximately 12% reduction in CO2 emissions in parking lots.
  • Simplified regulatory compliance checks and reliable, rapid reporting
  • Management of BCP deployment objectives (comparison between two technologies) and prioritization of investments

Benefits for airlines

  • Decrease in fuel consumption
  • Reduction of APU wear through systematic activation of alternative means.
  • Improved punctuality thanks to standardized arrival routines (PCA connected earlier)

Benefits for residents and passengers

  • Improving air quality and reducing noise pollution

Maxence Meignan

Engineering consultant – Project manager on behalf of Lyon Airports

“As part of a trial of air conditioning distribution systems at Lyon Saint Exupéry airport, we worked with Waltr to estimate the greenhouse gas reductions achieved by implementing alternatives to APUs.In addition to the reliability of the results, we saw the teams fully motivated before the installation, during the trial, and when sharing the results."

¹ Information based on estimates and analyses carried out during the Proof of Concept.

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